Golden Jaguar Redeemed

Not Again

Erik Dadmonger Stevens

The sounds from the television were softened to mumblings. Some show on HGTV called Fixer Upper. Erik found himself watching it after you'd introduced him to it, both with or without you beside him. He laid relaxed on the couch, lazily watching them talk about making some wooden accent table with recycled pieces. His dreads were up in uneven ponytails over his head, and a bright pink hairbow helped a single dread hang in his face.

Courtesy or Amari.

His little bundle of joy had finally settled down for a nap after a full three hours of running around. She'd done his hair and he'd done hers, knowing that she'd fall asleep as he did so. He'd tucked her in and closed her door to a crack. That brought him to now, waiting for you to come home from dinner with your friends.

With a loud yawn, he stretched as he sat up. His hand moved along the couch as he blindly looked for the remote. The television shut off with a click and he stood, rubbing his bare stomach with a hand. Bare feet against the cool hardwood of the floor, he fixed the pillows on the couch and began cleaning up the hair stuff. Putting it into its designated container.

Pressing on its top with a click, he headed to the bathroom. He put it in its place beneath the sink before the sound of a cabinet slamming caught his attention. Pushing his thick eyebrows together, he stepped into the hall. Looking over to his princess' door to see it still cracked.

Turning to the kitchen, he eased down the hall. Ready for anything. When his feet met the tile, he relaxed as he seen no-one. Rolling his eyes at his paranoia, he walked around the island only to jump back with a curse.

Amari looked up at him, pieces of moonpie on around her mouth. A long, blonde wig sitting atop her head. "You know you ain't supposed to be eating these this late. Your mama will have a fit, princess.. and why you got her wig on?"

"Moopie?" She smiled, holding up a half to Erik. His usual half when they shared their favorite snack.

He chuckled, squatting down to sit beside her. You weren't here now so one wouldn't hurt. "Thank you, princess."

She chewed, giving a cheeky smile. "Welcome, baba."

He bit into the snack, looking back at her with your wig on her head. Shaking his head, he couldn't hold back his laugh. The hair stopped at her ankles and until she looked up he didn't know what she was. She must've gotten up with him noticing.

"E, you up?" The front door opened and your voice carried in a whispered yell. Assuming Amari was asleep and Erik had to be close by. The snacking duo stopped to look at each other before holding a finger to their lips and laughing silently.